IC card

ABSTRACT

An IC card has a card substrate having semiconductor integrated circuit chips mounted thereon and a plurality of connector terminals formed thereon. The connector terminals are exposed from a casing. The connector terminals are laid out in plural sequences in staggered form between sequences adjacent to one another forward and backward as viewed in an IC card inserting direction. Owing to the adoption of the staggered layout, a structure or configuration wherein the amounts of protrusions of socket terminals of a card socket are changed and the socket terminals are laid out in tandem, can be adopted with relative ease. If a connector terminal arrangement of a downward or low-order IC card is adopted as a specific connector terminal sequence as it is, whereas a function dedicated for an upward or high-order IC card is assigned to another staggered connector terminal arrangement, then backward compatibility can also be implemented with ease.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/378,275,filed Mar. 20, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,303,138, which is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 10/988,622, filed Nov. 16, 2004,now U.S. Pat. No. 7,748,197, which is a continuation of application Ser.No. 10/693,887 filed Oct. 28, 2003, now abandoned, which is a divisionof application Ser. No. 09/756,867 filed Jan. 10, 2001, now U.S. Pat.No. 6,945,465.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a technology for improvingcompatibility related to an arrangement and functions of connectorterminals for an IC card, and utilizability and reliability of an ICcard, and related to, for example, a technology effective forapplication to a compatible memory card such as a multi media card(Multi Media Card).

There has been provided a memory card having implemented reductions insize and weight and the simplification of an interface, such as a multimedia card or the like aimed to perform, for example, the transfer ofinformation between cellular phone and digital network device. Asdescribed in, for example, the System Summary issued from the MultiMedia Card Association, the multi media card has seven connectorterminals as external interface terminals and adopts a serial interface.As compared with an ATA interface adopted by a PC card or hard disk, itcan lighten a load on a host system and can be used even in a simplersystem.

Further, an SD card has been proposed as an upward compatible memorycard like a multi media card, which adopts a serial interface and hasnine connector terminals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present inventors have carried out various discussions aboutcompatibility, function expansion, an improvement in reliability, etc.with respect to a multi media card.

The shapes and layout of connector terminals for a multi media card orthe like have firstly been discussed. A point of difference betweeninterface specifications of each individual memory cards is reflected onthe shapes and layout of the connector terminals of the card. Further,the point of difference is reflected on each socket terminal of a cardsocket. Thus, it has been revealed by the present inventors that ifthere is no commonality between arrangements and shapes of connectorterminals even if there is consistency between the size and thickness ofeach casing, it is difficult to implement compatibility and upwardcompatibility among the memory cards.

It is secondly estimated that a serial interface is not capable ofobtaining a data input/output rate necessary for data processing ascompared with the PC card or compact flash card or the like which adoptsthe ATA interface. In order to cope with it, the number of connectorterminals for data input/output must be increased. At that time, thecompatibility should be taken into consideration from the above point ofview.

Thirdly, the present inventors have found out the need for contrivancesfor avoiding the occurrence of a power-to-power short in any relativeposition between connector terminals of an IC card and socket terminalsof a card socket when the IC card is inserted into the card socket,where it is desired to increase the number of the connector terminalswhile the size of the IC card remains unchanged.

Fourthly, an IC card which is small and thin as compared with a PC cardneeds a contrivance in which forms such as storage of the IC card,carrying thereof, its shipment, etc. are taken into consideration.

Fifthly, a thin memory card such as a multi media card is hard to obtaina space for adopting a mechanical shutter mechanism for selectivelyexposing connector terminals. Thus, there is a possibility that when afinger or the like directly touches the connector terminals upondetachment and carrying of the multi media card, electrostatic dischargedamage will occur according to a surge exceeding resistance to ESDprotection of an mounted semiconductor integrated circuit chip. Themulti media card is expected to be singly carried or often detached froma host device. Thus, the present inventors have found out the utilityfor the enhancement of prevention of the electrostatic discharge damage.

Sixthly, consideration taken to avoid the compaction of wiring patternsand that of bonding wires so as not to cause malfunctions due to anundesired leak on a signal line since a free space on a card substrateis reduced due to an improvement in the function of an IC card and anincrease in the number of connector terminals, leads to an improvementin the reliability of the IC card.

An object of the present invention is to improve usability andreliability of an IC card.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an IC card whichis easy to implement compatibility related to an arrangement andfunctions of connector terminals.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an IC card whichis hard to cause a power-to-power short upon loading in a card socket.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an IC cardwhich is capable of avoiding compaction of wiring patterns and that ofbonding wires.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an IC cardwhich is capable of blocking the inflow of surges from connectorterminals by a simple structure.

The above, other objects and novel features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the description of the present specificationand the accompanying drawings.

Summaries of typical ones of the inventions disclosed in the presentapplication will be explained in brief as follows:

When it is desired to add data terminals or the like to specificspecifications of a connector terminal arrangement and implement upwardcompatibility, an arrangement of connector terminals needs to makeallowance for making it possible to support or cope with even downwardcompatibility (e.g., compatibility that a high-order or upward IC cardcan be utilized by being inserted into a socket of a low-order ordownward IC card) together with upward compatibility (e.g.,compatibility that a low-order or downward IC card can be utilized bybeing inserted into a card socket of a high-order or upward IC card)having specifications related to the high-order IC card.

An IC card based on the above point of view has a card substrate havingat least one semiconductor integrated circuit chip mounted thereon and aplurality of connector terminals formed thereon. The connector terminalsare exposed from a casing. The connector terminals are laid out inplural sequences in staggered form between the sequences adjacent to oneanother forward and backward as viewed in an IC card insertingdirection.

If another expression is made to the staggered layout, then theconnector terminals include an arrangement of two rows or sequencesformed back and forth as viewed in an IC card inserting direction.Further, an arrangement of terminal-to-terminal areas of connectorterminals laid out in a first sequence and an arrangement ofterminal-to-terminal areas of connector terminals laid out in a secondsequence are shifted from each other as viewed in a sequence direction.

If a further expression is made to the staggered layout, then theconnector terminals include an arrangement of two sequences formed backand forth as viewed in an IC card inserting direction. Further, asequence-directional layout of connector terminals laid out in a firstsequence and a sequence-directional layout of connector terminals laidout in a second sequence are shifted from each other as viewed in asequence direction.

Owing to the adoption of a plural-sequence layout of a form typified bystaggered fashion, a structure or configuration wherein the amounts ofprotrusions of socket terminals of a card socket are changed and thesocket terminals are laid out in tandem, can be adopted with relativeease for the arrangement of the connector terminals. If a connectorterminal arrangement of a downward or low-order IC card is adopted as aspecific connector terminal sequence as it is, whereas a functiondedicated for an upward or high-order IC card is assigned to anotherstaggered connector terminal arrangement, then such backwardcompatibility that the upward IC card can be utilized by being mountedin a card slot of the downward IC card, can also be implemented withease.

It is assumed that when it is desired to make a plan to achievecompatibility among three generations or later or between three types ormore of IC cards, an arrangement of connector terminals of a first ICcard is adopted as a connector terminal sequence corresponding to afirst sequence as it is, whereas a function dedicated for a second ICcard is assigned to a connector terminal sequence corresponding toanother staggered second sequence, and a function dedicated for a thirdIC card is assigned to both the specific terminal sequence correspondingto the first sequence and the connector terminal sequence correspondingto the second sequence. At this time, consideration is given to theimplementation of upward compatibility and downward compatibilitybetween the second IC card and the third IC card. To this end, aconfiguration is adopted wherein the connector terminal at one endextending in a sequence direction, of the connector terminals laid outin the second sequence extends to a position where it adjoins theconnector terminal as viewed in a sequence direction, at one endextending in the sequence direction, of the connector terminals laid outin the first sequence, and the connector terminal at the other endextending in the sequence direction, of the connector terminals laid outin the second sequence extends to a position where it adjoins theconnector terminal as viewed in the sequence direction, at the other endextending in the sequence direction, of the connector terminals laid outin the first sequence.

According to it, the first through third IC cards are capable of easilyimplementing compatibility mutually available even to a slot of any ofother IC cards by being inserted therein.

If consideration is given to a multi media card or the like at thepresent situation while specific functions of the connector terminalsare optional, then the connector terminals may include one sourcevoltage supply terminal, two ground voltage supply terminals, and oneclock signal input terminal.

When consideration is given to an increase in a data input/output ratewhile a data terminal is one bit, the multi media card may adopt, forexample, a configuration in which data terminals corresponding to fourbits are provided and the connector terminals are provided as nine intotal, or a configuration wherein data terminals corresponding to eightbits are provided and the connector terminals are provided as thirteenin total.

When it is desired to implement compatibility with a memory card havinga data terminal corresponding to one bit on the assumption of, forexample, an IC card having the nine connector terminals referred toabove, a configuration is considered in which the semiconductor chip hasa controller chip connected to the connector terminals, and thecontroller chip has a one-bit mode using one bit of the data terminalsof the four bits, the mode being set in response to the state of apredetermined connector terminal or the state of an input from thepredetermined connector terminal, and a four-bit mode used to performfour-bit parallel input/output using the four-bit data terminals.

Similarly, when it is desired to implement compatibility with memorycards having data terminals corresponding to one bit and four bits underthe assumption of an IC card having the thirteen connector terminals,the controller chip may be provided with a one-bit mode using one bit ofthe data terminals corresponding to the eight bits, the mode being setin response to the state of a predetermined connector terminal or thestate of an input from the predetermined connector terminal, a four-bitmode which is used to perform four-bit parallel input/output using fourbits of the eight-bit data terminals, and an eight-bit mode which isused to perform eight-bit parallel input/output using the data terminalscorresponding to the eight bits.

Suppose a data processing system makes available any of an IC cardhaving only the one-bit mode, an IC card having only the four-bit mode,and an IC card capable of selecting the one-bit mode and the four-bitmode. The data processing system has a card socket in which the IC cardcapable of selecting the one-bit mode and four-bit mode is applicable.The card socket includes a plurality of socket terminals respectivelyconnected to connector terminals of the mounted IC card. Further, thedata processing system has a card interface controller capable ofselectively setting the one-bit mode or four-bit mode to the IC cardthrough the socket terminals. The card interface controller is placedunder the control of a host control device.

Suppose a data processing system makes available any of an IC cardhaving only the one-bit mode, an IC card only the four-bit mode, an ICcard having the eight-bit mode, an IC card capable of selecting theone-bit mode or four-bit mode, and an IC card capable of selecting theone-bit mode, four-bit mode or eight-bit mode. The data processingsystem has a card socket in which the IC card capable of selecting theone-bit mode, four-bit mode or eight-bit mode can be applicable. Thecard socket includes a plurality of socket terminals respectivelyconnected to connector terminals of the mounted IC card. The dataprocessing system has a card interface controller capable of selectivelysetting the one-bit mode, four-bit mode or eight-bit mode to the IC cardthrough the socket terminals. The card interface controller is placedunder the control of a host control device.

When supposing a memory card as the IC card, if a single or plural,e.g., electrically rewritable non-volatile memory chips connected to thecontroller chip are further provided as the semiconductor chips, thenthe controller chip has a memory control function for controlling aread/write operation with respect to the single or plural non-volatilememory chips in accordance with instructions given from outside. Thenon-volatile memory chip may be a ROM (Read Only Memory). Further, thenon-volatile memory may be replaced with a RAM (Random Access Memory)according to uses.

If data security is taken into consideration, then the controller chipmay further be provided with a security function for encoding datawritten into each non-volatile memory chip referred to above, anddecoding the data read from the non-volatile memory chip.

When a connector terminal for the supply of a source voltage is placedin a connector terminal sequence corresponding to a first sequence asviewed in an IC card inserting direction, a terminal-to-terminal area isformed in a connector terminal sequence corresponding to a secondsequence at positions adjacent to the connector terminal for the sourcevoltage supply. There is a possibility that if other connector terminalsadjacent to the connector terminal for the source voltage supply areplaced in the connector terminal sequence corresponding to the secondsequence in staggered form, then socket terminals of a card socket,which are assigned to other connector terminals, will make contact withboth the source supply connector terminal and other connector terminalslocated ahead thereof before they reach other connector terminals. Thereis a possibility that if a source socket terminal is already in contactwith the connector terminal for the source voltage supply in this state,then a power-to-power short will occur. If a structure or configurationis adopted in which the terminal-to-terminal areas are laid out, it isthen unnecessary to take measures for increasing a sequence-to-sequencedistance between the first sequence and second sequence of the connectorterminals and narrowing the width of each connector terminal.

For the purposes similar to above, connector terminal for the sourcevoltage supply in which broad terminal-to-terminal distance is set toportions where connector terminal for the source voltage supply faces aconnector terminal sequence corresponding to a second sequence, may beprovided in a connector terminal sequence corresponding to a firstsequence as viewed in an IC card inserting direction.

When an IC card is inserted into its corresponding card socket, contactsof socket terminals are first brought into contact with a leading end ofthe IC card. Thus, there is a possibility that a leading end of a casingfor the IC card will deform or crack with time. There is also apossibility that bending will occur in each socket terminal in reverse.In order to avoid it, a guide portion formed by a slant surface orcircular arc extending from a leading edge portion extending at a frontend in an IC card inserting direction to a connector terminal formingsurface of the casing is formed in the casing for the IC card. The slantsurface or circular arc of the guide portion is set larger than a slantsurface or circular arc formed in each of other edge portions.

An IC card has a card substrate in which memory chips and a controllerchip which controls the memory chip are mounted, and a plurality ofconnecting pads respectively conductive to a plurality of connectorterminals are formed together with the connector terminals. A layout onthe card substrate is set in order of the connector terminals,controller chip and memory chips with respect to one side of the cardsubstrate. The connector terminals are exposed from a casing. Thecontroller chip has a shape long along the direction of an arrangementof the connector terminals and includes a plurality of connectorinterface terminals connected to the connector terminals through theconnecting pads on the connector terminal side, and a plurality ofmemory interface terminals connected to the corresponding memory chip onthe memory chip side. Each memory chip referred to above has a pluralityof controller interface terminals connected to the correspondingcontroller chip on the controller chip side.

According to the above, since the long controller chip is caused toapproach the connector terminal side and each memory chip is placed onthe side opposite to the controller chip, the area for laying out eachmemory chip can be made relatively large. Further, wirings forrespectively connecting the connector terminals, the controller chip andeach memory chip may be placed regularly in their arrangementdirections. It is not necessary to adopt wirings which bypass each chipand are folded complicatedly.

The connecting pads may be electrically connected to their correspondingconnector interface terminals of the controller chip through bondingwires. Further, the memory interface terminals of the controller chipmay be connected to their corresponding controller interface terminalsof each memory chip through bonding wires. According to it, each wiringlayer of the card substrate can be simplified, thus making it possibleto contribute to a cost reduction.

Through holes each of which extends through the front and back of acasing of each of relatively small and thin memory cards such as a multimedia card, may be defined in the casing to improve the storage of thememory cards and their handling performance. It is easy to store andcarry the IC card if a ring is put through the through holes. A strapmay be drawn through its corresponding through hole.

A terminal protective cover which is pivoted about the through hole andcovers the connector terminals in a state of being superimposed on thecasing, may be provided. Since the protective cover is capable ofrestraining a situation that one touches the connector terminalscarelessly, the prevention of electrostatic discharge damage of eachsemiconductor integrated circuit device mounted in an IC card can beenhanced from this point of view.

In order to make efficient tests about each post-mounting semiconductorintegrated circuit chip, test terminals connected to the controller chipand the memory chips may be provided on the card substrate with thememory chips and controller chip mounted thereto. Since it is better toavoid ever-exposure of the test terminals after they have been assembledinto their corresponding casing, the test terminals may be formed on thesurface on the side opposite to the connector terminal forming surfaceof the card substrate from this point of view. If there is provided acontrol terminal for supplying a control signal for controlling eachmemory interface terminal of the controller chip to a high impedancestate to the controller chip, then the memory chips can also be testedsingly with ease using the test terminals.

Attribute information or the like about an IC card is normally displayedon the IC card as in the case of storage capacity or the like of amemory card. Applying a seal onto a casing may do such indication ofinformation. However, when a reduction in the number of parts and thelike are taken into consideration, required character information may beprinted on the surface of the casing or concavely formed on the surfaceof the casing.

An indication mark indicative of the direction of insertion of an ICcard into a card socket may be printed on the surface of the casing orconcavely formed on the surface thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as theinvention, it is believed that the invention, the objects and featuresof the invention and further objects, features and advantages thereofwill be better understood from the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1(A) is an explanatory view showing a terminal surface of an upwardcompatible memory card in which data terminals are set to four bits withrespect to a multi media card;

FIG. 1(B) is an explanatory view illustrating a mounting surface of theupward compatible memory card in which the data terminals are set to thefour bits with respect to the multi media card;

FIG. 2(A) is an explanatory view showing a terminal surface of anotherupward compatible memory card in which data terminals are set to fourbits with respect to a multi media card;

FIG. 2(B) is an explanatory view depicting a mounting surface of anotherupward compatible memory card in which the data terminals are set to thefour bits with respect to the multi media card;

FIG. 3(A) is an explanatory view illustrating a terminal surface of anupward compatible memory card in which data terminals are set to eightbits with respect to a multi media card;

FIG. 3(B) is an explanatory view showing a mounting surface of theupward compatible memory card in which the data terminals are set to theeight bits with respect to the multi media card;

FIG. 4(A) is an explanatory view illustrating a terminal surface ofanother upward compatible memory card in which data terminals are set toeight bits with respect to a multi media card;

FIG. 4(B) is an explanatory view depicting a mounting surface of anotherupward compatible memory card in which the data terminals are set to theeight bits with respect to the multi media card;

FIG. 5(A) is an explanatory view showing a terminal surface of a furtherupward compatible memory card in which data terminals are set to eightbits with respect to a multi media card;

FIG. 5(B) is an explanatory view depicting a mounting surface of thefurther upward compatible memory card in which the data terminals areset to the eight bits with respect to the multi media card;

FIG. 6(A) is an explanatory view illustrating the state of a terminalsurface of a multi media card-based memory card;

FIG. 6(B) is an explanatory view showing the state of a mounting surfaceof the multi media card-based memory card;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view depicting the state in which thecorresponding memory card is loaded in a card socket corresponding tothe almighty card shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the state in which the almightymemory card is placed in a card socket corresponding to the multi mediacard-based memory card shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view illustrating the state in which thealmighty memory card is loaded in a card socket corresponding to a multimedia card-based memory card;

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a data processing system havingthe card socket shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 11(A) is an explanatory view showing, as a comparative example, aconnector terminal arrangement which develops a power-to-power short;

FIG. 11(B) is an explanatory view depicting, as the comparative example,the connector terminal arrangement which develops the power-to-powershort;

FIG. 11(C) is an explanatory view illustrating, as the comparativeexample, the connector terminal arrangement which develops thepower-to-power short;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing an example in which measures aretaken to prevent a power-to-power short by virtue of chamfered portionsof connector terminals;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view depicting an example in which measuresare taken to prevent a power-to-power short by virtue of lineardimensions of socket terminals or the like;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing a comparative example in whichwiring routing increases on a card substrate;

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing, as an example, a detailed configurationof a mounted state of circuit elements of the multi media card-basedmemory card shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 16 is a vertical cross-sectional view of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a plan view exclusively illustrating, as an example, thestate of connections of test terminals and the like of the multi mediacard-based memory card shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a first example in which a throughhole is defined in a memory card;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating a second example in which athrough hole is defined in a memory card;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing, as an example, a first use formof through holes defined in memory cards;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating a second use form of athrough hole defined in a memory card;

FIG. 22(A) is an explanatory view depicting the operation of mounting ofthe memory card shown in FIG. 21 in a PC card adapter;

FIG. 22(B) is an explanatory view showing the operation of fitting ofthe memory card shown in FIG. 21 in the PC card adapter;

FIG. 22(C) is an explanatory view illustrating the operation of mountingof the memory card shown in FIG. 21 in the PC card adapter;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing an example in which a memory cardis provided with a protective cover;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view depicting, as an example, the manner ofstorage of each memory card provided with its corresponding protectivecover;

FIG. 25(A) is an explanatory view showing the operation of mounting ofthe memory card shown in FIG. 23 in a PC card adapter;

FIG. 25(B) is an explanatory view illustrating the operation of fittingof the memory card shown in FIG. 23 in the PC card adapter;

FIG. 25(C) is an explanatory view showing the operation of mounting ofthe memory card shown in FIG. 23 in the PC card adapter;

FIG. 26(A) is an explanatory view depicting a first example in which acasing of a memory card is provided with a guide portion;

FIG. 26(B) is an explanatory view showing the first example in which thecasing of the memory card is provided with the guide portion;

FIG. 26(C) is an explanatory view showing the first example in which thecasing of the memory card is provided with the guide portion;

FIG. 27(A) is an explanatory view depicting a second example in which acasing of a memory card is provided with a guide portion;

FIG. 27(B) is an explanatory view illustrating the second example inwhich the casing of the memory card is provided with the guide portion;

FIG. 27(C) is an explanatory view showing the second example in whichthe casing of the memory card is provided with the guide portion;

FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of amemory card in which a seal is put to represent attribute information ofthe memory card;

FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a memorycard in which attribute information of the memory card is represented byprinting onto its casing;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view depicting an example of a memory card inwhich a concave portion is defined in a casing to represent anindication mark indicative of the direction of insertion of the memorycard;

FIG. 31(A) is an explanatory view showing the state of release of writeprotect by a seal system;

FIG. 31(B) is an explanatory view illustrating the state of release ofwrite protect by the seal system;

FIG. 32(A) is an explanatory view depicting the state of write protectby a seal system;

FIG. 32(B) is an explanatory view showing the state of write protect bythe seal system;

FIG. 33(A) is an explanatory view illustrating the state of release ofwrite protect by a lug system;

FIG. 33(B) is an explanatory view depicting the state of release ofwrite protect by the lug system;

FIG. 34(A) is an explanatory view showing the state of write protect bya lug system;

FIG. 34(B) is an explanatory view illustrating the state of writeprotect by the lug system;

FIG. 35 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a flash memorychip as an example; and

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view schematically depicting the structureof a non-volatile memory cell transistor for a flash memory chip.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 through 5 respectively illustrate upward compatible memory cardsbased on multi media cards, in which FIGS. 1(A), 2(A), 3(A), 4(A), and5(A) show terminal surfaces, and FIGS. 1(B), 2(B), 3(B), 4(B), and 5(B)illustrate chip mounting surfaces, respectively.

A memory card (multi media card-based memory card) MCI based on a multimedia card, which is basic to these memory cards, will first beexplained with reference to FIG. 6. A card substrate (also called a“multi media card-based card substrate”) 1 of the multi media card-basedmemory card MC1 is configured in such a manner that seven connectorterminals 2 respectively identical in shape to one another andrectangular are provided at equal intervals on a terminal surface of asubstrate comprising a resin substrate composed of a glass epoxy resinor the like, and connecting pads 3 are formed on a mounting surfacethereof in a one-to-one correspondence with the connector terminals 2.Each connecting pad 3 is formed of a conductive pattern such asaluminum, copper, or a ferro-alloy or the like. Each of the connectorterminals 2 is formed by applying gold plating, nickel plating or thelike to a conductive pattern such as aluminum, copper, or theferro-alloy or the like. Electrical connections between the connectingpads 3 and the connector terminals 2 are conducted by unillustratedwiring patterns on the card substrate 1 and through holes which bringthe front and back of the card substrate 1 into conduction.

For example, electrically rewritable flash memory chips 4 and acontroller chip 5 for controlling the flash memory chip 4 are mounted onthe mounting surface of the card substrate 1. The controller chip 5controls a read/write operation effected on each flash memory chip 4 inaccordance with instructions given from outside through each connectorterminal 2. When data security is taken into consideration, thecontroller chip 5 may further be provided with the a security functionfor encrypting or encoding data written into its corresponding flashmemory chip 4 and decrypting or decoding the data read out from theflash memory chip 4.

The controller chip 5 has a shape long along the direction of anarrangement of the connector terminals 2 and includes a plurality ofconnector interface terminals 5Pi electrically connected to theircorresponding connector terminals 2 through the connecting pads 3 on theconnector terminal 2 side, and a plurality of memory interface terminals5Pj electrically connected to their corresponding memory chips 4 on thememory chip 4 side. Each of the memory chips 4 has a plurality ofcontroller interface terminals 4Pk electrically connected to thecorresponding controller chip 5 on the controller chip 5 side. Theconnecting pads 3 are connected to their corresponding connectorinterface terminals 5Pi of the controller chip 5 by bonding wires 7. Thememory interface terminals 5Pj of the controller chip 5 are electricallyconnected to their corresponding controller interface terminals 4Pk ofeach memory chip 4 by bonding wires 8. Reference numeral 9 indicates arelay pattern.

Further, the card substrate 1 has test terminals 10 electricallyconnected to the controller chip 5 and each of the memory chips 4 bybonding wires (or wiring patterns) 11. The card substrate 1 is attachedand fixed to a casing 12 with its mounting surface directed inwardly.The mounting surface of the card substrate 1 is covered with the casing12 for its protection and the terminal surface thereof is exposed fromthe casing 12. Incidentally, one example of the electrical connectionsmade by the bonding wires 7, 8 and 11 is shown in the drawing, and theunillustrated terminals are also electrically connected by theircorresponding bonding wires or the like in the same manner as describedabove.

Now, terminal numbers #1 through #7 are assigned to the connectorterminals 2 on the terminal surface for convenience. In a multi mediacard mode, #1 serves as a reserve terminal (open or fixed to a logicalvalue “1”), #2 functions as a command terminal (which performs a commandinput and a response signal output), #3 and #6 serve as circuit's groundvoltage (ground) terminals, #4 serves as a source voltage supplyterminal, #5 serves as a clock input terminal, and #7 serves as a datainput/output terminal, respectively. In an SPI (Serial PeripheralInterface) mode, #1 serves as a chip select terminal (negative logic),#2 serves as a data input terminal (for the input of data and commandsfrom a host device to a card), #3 and #6 serve as the circuit's groundvoltage (ground) terminals, #4 serves as the source voltage supplyterminal, #5 serves as the clock input terminal, and #7 serves as a dataoutput terminal (for the output of data and status from the memory cardto the host device), respectively. The multi media card mode is anoperation mode suitable for a system in which a plurality of multi mediacards are used simultaneously. The identification of each multi mediacard is done by a card identification ID (relative address) set to itsmulti media card by the unillustrated host device. The SPI mode is mostsuitable for application to a simple and inexpensive system, and theoperation of each multi media card is selected by a chip select signalsupplied to the connector terminal of #1. Even in the case of any of theoperation modes, the controller chip 5 performs access control of amemory chip and control for interface with the host device in responseto a command given from the host device.

An upward compatible memory card MC2 of a type wherein data terminalsare set to four bits with respect to the multi media card, is shown inFIG. 1 by way of example. The present memory card MC2 is different fromthe memory card MC1 in that nine connector terminals 2 and connectingpads 3 are laid out respectively. The terminal numbers #1 through #7 areidentical in layout configuration to the multi media card-based memorycard MC1, and the two connector terminals added in this way are definedas terminal numbers #8 and #9 respectively.

The connector terminals 2 of #1 through #7 constitute a connectorterminal sequence corresponding to a first row or sequence with respectto a card substrate 1A. The added connector terminals 2 of #8 and #9constitute a connector terminal sequence corresponding to a second rowor sequence placed so as to be spaced away from the connector terminalsequence corresponding to the first sequence. The connector terminals 2of #8 and #9 are identical in size to other connector terminals 2. Theconnector terminal sequence corresponding to the first sequence and theconnector terminal sequence corresponding to the second sequence areprovided so that the layouts of their connector terminals are shiftedfrom one another as viewed in their row or sequence directions. In otherwords, the connector terminals 2 of #1 and #9, and the connectorterminals 2 of #7 and #8 are laid out in staggered form.

The present memory card MC2 is configured in such a manner that theterminals #2 through #7 are assigned to the same functions as the multimedia card mode of the multi media card-based memory card MC1, theterminal #1, which was used as the reserve terminal in the correspondingmulti media card mode, is defined as a data terminal DATA3 correspondingto a fourth bit, and the added terminals #8 and #9 are respectivelydefined as a data terminal DATA1 corresponding to a second bit, and adata terminal DATA2 corresponding to a third bit. A data terminal DATA0corresponding to a first bit corresponds to the same terminal #7 as thatin the multi media card mode. Thus, the present memory card MC2 isdifferent from the memory card MC1 in that the input/output of data isallowed in 4-bit parallel in the multi media card mode of the memorycard MC1.

Further, the memory card MC2 has a downward compatible mode with respectto the multi media card-based memory card MC1. Namely, the controllerchip 5A has a one-bit mode which makes use of one bit #7 of the four-bitdata terminals #1, #7, #8 and #9, and a four-bit mode which performs afour-bit parallel input/output using the four-bit data terminals #1, #7,#8 and #9. The one-bit mode is an operation mode which allows the memorycard MC2 to operate as the multi media card-based memory card MC1.

The operation mode may be set in response to the state of apredetermined connector terminal or the state of the input of a commandfrom the predetermined connector terminal. For example, when the memorycard MC2 is loaded in the card socket of the multi media card-basedmemory card MC1, the terminals #8 and #9 reach floating. Therefore, whenpower is turned on, the controller chip 5A may detect floating states ofboth of the terminals #8 and #9 or a floating state of one thereof toset the one-bit mode to the memory card MC2. When the memory card MC2having the nine connector terminals 2 is fitted in its dedicated cardsocket, the terminals #8 and #9 are conductive to a socket terminal ofthe card socket. Therefore, when power is turned on, the controller chip5A may detect the supply of a specific signal or command from the hostdevice to both or one of at least the terminals #8 and #9 to set thefour-bit mode to the corresponding memory card MC2.

The controller chip 5A is different from the controller chip 5 in thatthe number of data input/output terminals connected to connecting pads 3is four. Other configurations are identical to those shown in FIG. 6.Circuit elements each having the same function are identified by thesame reference numerals and their detailed description will therefore beomitted.

Another upward compatible memory card MC3 in which data terminals areset to four bits with respect to the multi media card, is illustrated inFIG. 2 by way of example. A card substrate 1B of the memory card MC3 isdifferent from that of the memory card MC2 in that data terminalscorresponding to the terminal numbers #8 and #9 are different in layoutand size from each other. The data terminal of #8 is completely built orset in a terminal row or sequence corresponding to a first sequence andslightly reduced in width as compared with other connector terminals 2.The data terminal of #9 is laid out at and changed to a position placedoutside a data terminal of #1 and placed in a state of being nestedtoward it. Other configurations are similar to those shown in FIG. 1.Circuit elements each having the same function are identified by thesame reference numerals and their detailed description will therefore beomitted.

An upward compatible memory card MC4 in which data terminals are set toeight bits with respect to the multi media card, is illustrated in FIG.3 by way of example. The present memory card MC4 is different from thememory card MC1 in that thirteen connector terminals 2 and connectingpads 3 are respectively laid out. The terminal numbers #1 through #7 areidentical in layout configuration to those of the multi media card-basedmemory card MC1, and the added six connector terminals are defined asterminal numbers #8 through #13.

The connector terminals 2 of #1 through #7 constitute a connectorterminal sequence corresponding to a first row or sequence with respectto a card substrate 1C. The added connector terminals 2 of #8 through#13 constitute a connector terminal sequence corresponding to a secondrow or sequence placed so as to be spaced away from the connectorterminal sequence corresponding to the first sequence. The connectorterminals 2 of #8 through #13 are identical in size to other connectorterminals 2. The connector terminal sequence corresponding to the firstsequence and the connector terminal sequence corresponding to the secondsequence are provided so that the layouts of their connector terminalsare shifted from one another as viewed in their row or sequencedirections. If attention is focused on terminal-to-terminal regions orareas of the connector terminals 2, then an arrangement ofterminal-to-terminal areas of the connector terminal sequencecorresponding to the first sequence and an arrangement ofterminal-to-terminal areas of the connector terminal sequencecorresponding to the second sequence are shifted from one another asviewed in their sequence directions. In short, the connector terminalscorresponding to the first sequence and the second sequence are disposedin staggered form between the rows or sequences in a manner similar tothe memory card MC2 shown in FIG. 1.

The present memory card MC4 is configured in such a manner that theterminals #2 through #7 are assigned to the same functions as the multimedia card mode of the multi media card-based memory card MC1, theterminal #1, which was used as the reserve terminal in the correspondingmulti media card mode, is defined as a data terminal DATA3 correspondingto a fourth bit, and the added terminals #8, #9, #10, #11, #12 and #13are respectively successively defined as a data terminal DATA1corresponding to a second bit, a data terminal DATA4 corresponding to afifth bit, a data terminal DATA6 corresponding to a seventh bit, a dataterminal DATA7 corresponding to an eighth bit, a data terminal DATA5corresponding to a sixth bit, and a data terminal DATA1 corresponding toa second bit. A data terminal DATA0 corresponding to a first bitcorresponds to the same terminal #7 as that in the multi media cardmode. Thus, the present memory card MC4 is different from the memorycard MC1 in that the input/output of data is allowed in 8-bit parallelin the multi media card mode of the memory card MC1.

Further, the memory card MC4 has a downward compatible mode with respectto the multi media card-based memory card MC1. Namely, a controller chip5B has a one-bit mode which makes use of one bit #7 of the eight-bitdata terminals #1 and #7 through #13, a four-bit mode which performs afour-bit parallel input/output using the four bits #1, #7, #8 and #13 ofthe eight-bit data terminals #1 and #7 through #13, and an eight-bitmode which performs an eight-bit parallel input/output using theeight-bit data terminals #1 and #7 through #13. The one-bit mode is anoperation mode which allows the memory card MC4 to operate as the multimedia card-based memory card MC1. The four-bit mode is the sameoperation mode as the four-bit modes for the memory cards MC2 and MC3.

The operation mode may be set in response to the state of apredetermined connector terminal or the state of the input of a commandfrom the predetermined connector terminal. For example, when the memorycard MC4 is loaded in the card socket of the multi media card-basedmemory card MC1, the terminals #8 through #13 reach floating. Therefore,when power is turned on, the controller chip 5B may detect floatingstates of the connector terminals 2 for both of the data terminals DATA1and DATA2 at which a difference from the four-bit mode can berecognized, or a floating state of the connector terminal 2 for onethereof (by exclusively using software or exclusively using a hardwareconfiguration) to set the one-bit mode to the memory card MC on asoftware or hardware basis.

When the memory card MC4 is fitted in the card socket of the memory cardMC2 shown in FIG. 1, the terminals #9 through #12 are brought tofloating. Therefore, when power is turned on, the controller chip 5B maydetect floating states of all or some connector terminals 2 for the dataterminals DATA4 through DATA7 on a software or hardware basis to set thefour-bit mode to the memory card MC4.

On the other hand, when the memory card MC4 is loaded in its dedicatedcard socket, the terminals #9 through #12 are conductive to a socketterminal of the card socket. Therefore, when power is turned on, thecontroller chip 5B may detect the supply of a specific signal or commandfrom a host device to all or some of at least the data terminals DATA4through DATA7 to set the eight-bit mode to the corresponding memory cardMC4.

The controller chip 5B is different from the controller chip 5 in thatthe number of data input/output terminals connected to the connectingpads 3 is eight. Other configurations are identical to those shown inFIG. 6. Circuit elements each having the same function are identified bythe same reference numerals and their detailed description willtherefore be omitted.

Another upward compatible memory card MC5 in which data terminals areset to eight bits with respect to the multi media card, is illustratedin FIG. 4 by way of example. A card substrate 1D of the memory card MC5is different from that of the memory card MC4 in that the layout of theconnector terminals 2 of the terminal numbers #8 and #13 is similar tothe memory card MC3 shown in FIG. 2. A data terminal of #13 iscompletely built or set in a terminal row or sequence corresponding to afirst sequence and slightly reduced in width as compared with otherconnector terminals 2. A data terminal of #8 is laid out at and changedto a position placed outside a data terminal of #1 and placed in a stateof being nested toward it. Other configurations are similar to thoseshown in FIG. 3. Circuit elements each having the same function areidentified by the same reference numerals and their detailed descriptionwill therefore be omitted.

A further upward compatible memory card MC6 in which data terminals areset to eight bits with respect to the multi media card, is illustratedin FIG. 5 by way of example. A card substrate 1E of the memory card MC6is different from that of the memory card MC4 shown in FIG. 3 in thatthe shapes of the connector terminals 2 of the terminal numbers #8 and#13 extend so as to contain the connector terminals 2 of the terminalnumbers #8 an #13 shown in FIG. 4. Namely, the connector terminal 2 ofthe terminal number #13 extends to a position where it perfectly adjoinsa connector terminal #7 placed in the first sequence and provided at oneend as viewed in the row or sequence direction, of the connectorterminal sequence. The connector terminal 2 of the terminal number #8extends to a position where it partly overlaps with a connector terminal#1 placed in the first sequence and included in the connector terminalsequence as viewed in the sequence direction and adjoins the connectorterminal #1. Other configurations are similar to those shown in FIG. 3.Circuit elements each having the same function are identified by thesame reference numerals and their detailed description will therefore beomitted.

As is apparent from the above, the memory cards MC2 through MC6 shown inFIGS. 1 through 5 respectively have upward compatibility with respect tothe multi media card-based memory card MC1 or the unillustrated knownmulti media card. For example, a low-order or downward memory card canbe used by being inserted into a card socket of a high-order or upwardmemory card. Further, each of the memory cards MC2 through MC6 has alsodownward compatibility that, for example, an upward memory card can beused by being inserted into a socket of a downward memory card.Described in details, the memory cards MC2 and MC3 shown in FIGS. 1 and2 have upward-downward compatibility in a relationship with the memorycard MC1 shown in FIG. 6. The memory card MC4 shown in FIG. 3 hasupward-downward compatibility in a relationship with the memory cardsMC1 and MC2 shown in FIGS. 6 and 1. The memory card MC5 shown in FIG. 4has upward-downward compatibility in a relationship with the memorycards MC1 and MC3 shown in FIGS. 6 and 2. Since the memory card MC6shown in FIG. 5 has a connector terminal arrangement includingcomplementarity between the arrangement of the connector terminals 2 ofthe memory card MC4 shown in FIG. 3 and the arrangement of the connectorterminals 2 of the memory card MC5 shown in FIG. 4, it can be ranked asan almighty card having upward-downward compatibility even in arelationship with any of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6.

FIG. 7 shows the state in which the corresponding memory card MC6 isloaded in a card socket corresponding to the almighty card MC6. The cardsocket 22 has socket terminals 22A which protrude toward the back orinner portion so as to correspond to their connector terminals 2. Sincethe plural-sequence layout of the form typified by the staggered fashionis adopted, a configuration or structure in which the amounts ofprotrusions of the socket terminals 22A of the card socket 22 arechanged and they are laid out in tandem, can be adopted with relativeease for the arrangement of the connector terminals 2. Contacts with theconnector terminals 2 are tips or leading ends (▪ marks) of the socketterminals 22A.

FIG. 8 shows the state in which the almighty memory card MC6 is loadedin a card socket 21 corresponding to the multi media card-based memorycard MC1 shown in FIG. 1 or an unillustrated multi media card. Asdescribed above, the memory card MC6 is set to the one-bit mode, so thatit can perform the same operation as the multi media card-based memorycard MC1 or the unillustrated multi media card.

FIG. 9 shows the state in which the almighty memory card MC6 is loadedin a card socket 22 corresponding to the multi media card-based memorycard MC3 shown in FIG. 2. As described above, the memory card MC6 iscapable of performing the same operation as the memory card MC3 by beingset to the four-bit mode.

Although not illustrated in the drawing in particular, the memory cardsMC1 through MC5 shown in FIG. 6 and FIGS. 1 through 4 can respectivelybe operated in predetermined operation modes even if they are loaded inthe card socket 22 shown in FIG. 7. The thickness of each card issubstantially equal to a thickness of 1.4 mm of the multi media card.Compatibility available even if the memory cards are mutually insertedinto any other type of card sockets, can be implemented.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a data processing system havingthe card socket 22 shown in FIG. 7. The data processing system shown inthe same drawing has a card socket 22 in which the memory card MC6capable selecting the one-bit mode, four-bit mode or eight-bit mode canbe fitted. The card socket 22 has a plurality of socket terminals 22Aconnected to connector terminals 2 of a memory card MC mounted as shownin FIG. 7. The data processing system is provided with a card interfacecontroller 30 capable of selectively setting the one-bit mode, four-bitmode or eight-bit mode to the memory card MC through the socketterminals 22A. The card interface controller 30 is placed under thecontrol of a host control device 31. The host device 31 is a circuitlike a CPU board, for example, and includes a microprocessor and a workRAM for the microprocessor. Further, the host device 31 performsinterface control of commands or data with the card interface controller30 through a bus and control for setting the operation mode to thememory card MC loaded in the card socket 22. Thus, any of the memorycards MC1 through MC6 can be used.

Incidentally, a plurality of types of memory cards can similarly beapplicable even to a data processing system having a card socket of amemory card MC2 or MC3 although not shown in the drawing.

In the memory cards MC2 through MC6 shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, theback-and-forth arrangement of the connector terminals 2 in two rows orlines takes into consideration the prevention of a power-to-power short.In the aforementioned examples, no terminals are provided behind theterminals of #4 used as the power supply connector terminals. Atportions where the connector terminals 2 are placed back and forth asviewed in a row direction as shown in FIG. 7 by way of example, thesocket terminals of the card socket 22 respectively include shortterminals 22As and long terminals 22Al alternately compactly laid out atpitches each equal to half of that of each connector terminal 2. On theother hand, if no connector terminal is provided behind, then no longsocket terminals 22A1 are placed next door to each other on both sidesof a socket terminal 22Aa corresponding to the connector terminal of #4for the source voltage (Vdd) supply as shown in FIG. 7 by way example.

On the other hand, now consider a memory card MC7 in which dataterminals of #10 and #11 are placed behind a connector terminal of #4for the supply of a source voltage (Vdd) as illustrated in FIG. 11(A) byway of example. In a card socket 23 corresponding to the memory cardMC7, long socket terminals 23Ab are disposed next to socket terminals23Aa corresponding to the connector terminal of #4.

When the memory card MC7 is inserted into the card socket 23, contacts(▪ marks) of the socket terminals 23Ab are respectively brought intosliding contact with the surface of the connector terminal of #4 towhich the source voltage Vdd is inputted, and the surface of a connectorterminal of #3 to which a ground voltage is inputted. When, at thistime, a socket terminal 23Aa supplied with the source voltage Vdd ismade conductive to the connector terminal of #4, and a socket terminal23Ac supplied with a circuit's ground voltage Vss is rendered conductiveto the connector terminal of #3, the source voltage Vdd and the groundvoltage Vss are short-circuited through a contact of 23Aa, #4, a contactof 23Ab, #3 and a contact of 23Ac as shown in FIG. 11(C).

The non-provision of the connector terminal behind the terminal of #4used as the power supply connector terminal as shown in FIG. 7 by way ofexample allows prevention of the possibility of such a power shortbeforehand.

As a countermeasure against the power short, connector terminal in whichbroad terminal-to-terminal distances are respectively set to a portionwhere the connector terminal faces a connector terminal sequencecorresponding to a second sequence, may be provided in a connectorterminal sequence corresponding to a first sequence as viewed in amemory card inserting direction as shown in FIG. 12 by way of example.In brief, relatively large chamfered portions may be formed at thecorners of the rears of the connector terminals 2A.

As another countermeasure against the power short, a distance D1extending from a leading end of each of contacts of short socketterminals 23Aa and 23Ac to a base end of a contact of a long socketterminal 23Ab may be set greater than a width dimension B1 of each ofconnector terminals of #3 and #4 as shown in FIG. 13 by way of example.Further, the thickness of the socket terminal 23Ab may sufficiently beset smaller than interval dimensions of the connector terminals of #3and #4. However, when it is desired to prevent the power short accordingto dimensional provisions, a processing error and an assembly erroroccur. Further, since it is impossible to regard the memory card itselfas a rigid body, it is advisable to take the countermeasures shown inFIGS. 7 and 12 for the purpose of preventing the power short with a highdegree of reliability.

In the memory cards MC1 through MC6 described in FIGS. 1 through 6,their layout on the card substrate is set in order of the connectorterminals 2, the controller chips 5 (5A and 5B) and the flash memorychips 4 with respect to one side of the card substrate. The connectorterminals 2 are exposed from the casing 12. Each of the controller chips5 (5A and 5B) has a shape long along the direction of the arrangement ofthe connector terminals 2 and includes a plurality of connectorinterface terminals 5Pi electrically connected to the connectorterminals 2 through the connecting pads 3 on the connector terminal 2side, and a plurality of memory interface terminals 5Pj electricallyconnected to the corresponding flash memory chip 4 on the flash memorychip 4 side. The flash memory chip 4 has a plurality of controllerinterface terminals 4Pk electrically connected to the controller chip 5(5A, 5B) on the controller chip 5 (5A, 5B) side. The terminals 5Pi, 5Pjand 4Pk comprise, for example, bonding pads respectively.

According to the above, since the long controller chip 5 (5A, 5B) iscaused to approach the connector terminals 2 and the flash memory chip 4is placed on the side opposite to the controller chip 5 (5A, 5B), thearea for laying out each flash memory chip 4 can be made relativelylarge. Further, wirings for respectively electrically connecting theconnector terminals 2, the controller chip 5 (5A, 5B) and each memorychip 4 may be wired regularly in their arrangement directions. It is notnecessary to adopt wirings which bypass each chip and are foldedcomplicatedly.

The connecting pads 3 may be electrically connected to theircorresponding connector interface terminals 5Pi of the controller chip 5(5A, 5B) through bonding wires 7. Further, the memory interfaceterminals 5Pj of the controller chip 5 (5A, 5B) may be electricallyconnected to their corresponding controller interface terminals 4Pk ofeach flash memory chip 4 through bonding wires 8 and conductive patterns9. Thus, this can simplify each wiring layer of the card substrate andis capable of contributing a cost reduction.

When interface terminals like bonding pads of a controller chip and aflash memory chip are placed in random orientations with respect tobonding pads 3 as shown in a comparative example of FIG. 14, wirings forrespectively electrically connecting the connecting pads, the controllerchip and the memory chip bypass the chips, pass complicated paths,complicate each wiring layer of the card substrate, degrade electricalcharacteristics, make an increase in cost and decrease reliability.

A detailed configuration of a state in which circuit elements aremounted on the multi media card-based memory card MC1 shown in FIG. 6 isillustrated in FIG. 15 by way of example on a plane basis. FIG. 16 is avertical cross-sectional view of the configuration shown in FIG. 15.Test terminals 10 are not illustrated in the configurations shown inFIGS. 15 and 16. Further, FIGS. 15 and 16 include portions designated atreference numerals different from those shown in FIG. 6.

A card substrate 1 comprises a glass epoxy resin or the like. Theconnector terminals 2 are formed on the back of the card substrate 1 byconductive patterns. The controller chip 5 and the flash memory chips 4are mounted on the surface of the card substrate 1 through wiringpatterns and conductive patterns. In the drawing, reference numerals 3respectively indicate connecting pads electrically connected to theircorresponding connector terminals 2 via through holes 40.

Referring to FIG. 15, the bonding wires 8 shown in FIG. 6 areillustrated as 8 a, 8 b and 8 c in parts. The controller chip 5 and thememory chips 4 are so-called bare chips, and the external terminals 5Pi,5Pj and 4Pk thereof are bonding pads such as aluminum, an aluminumalloy, copper or a ferro-alloy or the like.

Each of the flash memory chips 4 has a memory cell array in which, forexample, non-volatile memory cell transistors each having a controlgate, a floating gate, and a source and drain are placed in matrix form.The flash memory chip 4 performs operations such as data reading,erasing, writing, verifying, etc. according to externally-suppliedcommands and addresses. The flash memory chip 4 includes, as pluralexternal terminals 4Pk, an input terminal used for a chip enable signal(also called “chip select signal”) /CE for providing instructions for achip selection, an input terminal used for a write enable signal /WE forproviding instructions for a write operation, input/output terminalsI/O0 through I/O7, an input terminal used for a command-data enablesignal /CDE for providing instructions as to whether the input/outputterminals I/O0 through I/O7 should be used for either the input/outputof data or the input of addresses, an input terminal used for an outputenable signal /OE for providing instructions for an output operation, aninput terminal used for a clock signal /SC for providing instructionsfor data latch timing, an output terminal used for a ready/busy signalR/B for giving instructions as to whether the flash memory chip is beingin a write operation, to the outside, and an input terminal used for areset signal /RES.

The controller chip 5 controls the reading and writing of data from andinto the flash memory chip 4 according to instructions given fromoutside. Further, the controller chip 5 has a security function forencrypting or encoding data to be written into the flash memory chip 4in consideration of data security or copyright protection or the likeand decrypting or decoding the data read from the flash memory chip 4.

The external terminals 5Pi of the controller chip 5 correspond toinput/output functions of the connector terminals 2. An output terminalused for a chip select signal /CE0 with respect to the flash memory chip4, and an output terminal used for a chip select signal /CE1 withrespect to the flash memory chip 4 are included as the externalterminals 5Pj for obtaining memory access to the controller chip 5.Further, external terminals, which correspond to the external terminals4Pk of the flash memory chip 4 and are reversed in input/outputdirection, are provided as the external terminals 5Pj.

As described above, the bonding wires 7 are used to connect theconnecting pads 3 and their corresponding external terminals 5Pi of thecontroller chip 5, and the bonding wires 8 a, 8 b and 8 c are used toconnect the controller chip 5 and the flash memory chip 4. Thus, a largenumber of wiring patterns having the same functions as the connectionsthereof by the bonding wires may not be formed on the card substrate 1in a compact mass. Spaces lying above the controller chip 5 and eachflash memory chip 4 can be utilized for wiring. In brief, substratewiring can be simplified owing to air wiring of bonding wires.Accordingly, this can contribute to a reduction in the cost of the cardsubstrate 1.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 15, the two flash memory chips 4 areparallel-connected to the controller chip 5 by the bonding wires. Atthis time, the two non-volatile memory chips 4 are mounted on the cardsubstrate 1 in their position-shifted and overlapped state so that theexternal terminals 4Pk thereof are exposed. Thus, the distance to thecontroller chip 5 becomes short and routing lengths of the bonding wires8 b and 8 c become short as compared with the case in which thenon-volatile memory chips 4 are laid out without their overlapping.Accordingly, the possibility that undesired contacts and breaks of thebonding wires will occur, can be lessened. The amounts of shifts of aplurality of non-volatile memory chips at the time that they are stackedon one another, may be determined within a range in which one lower chipcan exist below bonding external terminals of an upper chip. This isbecause when no lower chip exists below the bonding external terminals,there is a possibility that each chip will suffer damage due to amechanical force at bonding.

Referring to FIG. 16, the controller chip 5 and non-volatile memorychips 4 are molded with a thermosetting resin 55 as a whole. At thistime, each through hole 40 is not included in an area molded by thethermosetting resin 55. Thus, it is possible to eliminate thepossibility that when they are molded under pressure, the mold resin 55will leak into the reverse side of the card substrate 1 via each throughhole 40, thereby causing a mold failure.

In FIG. 16, the casing 12 for covering the surface of the card substrate1 can be made up of, for example, a metal cap or the like whose surfaceis subjected to insulating coating. Thus, as compared with a resin cap,it provides countermeasures against EMI (Electro Magnetic Interference)and also allows sealing based on mechanical fastening andhigh-temperature-based cap sealing.

Increasing the thickness of the controller chip 5 as compared with thatof each flash memory chip 4 as described in FIG. 16 allows prevention ofthe occurrence of a failure in multi media card.

In FIG. 16, the thickness of the flash memory chip 4 is 220 μm and thethickness of the controller chip 5 is 280 μm. The height of thecontroller chip 5 after its mounting is 320 μm. A post-mounting heightat the time that the two flash memory chips 4 are stacked and mounted,reaches 520 μm inclusive of the thickness of an adhesive layer forbonding their chip reverse sides to each other. Further, since theheight of each bonding wire loop formed on the flash memory chips 4 andthe controller chip 5 is about 200 μm, the whole height up to theuppermost portion of the bonding wire loop at the time that the twoflash memory chips 4 are stacked, reaches 720 μm. Thus, the controllerchip 5 is thicker than the flash memory chip 4. Further, the controllerchip 5 is thinner than the thickness of the two flash memory chips 4.Alternatively, the post-mounting height of the controller chip 5 isabout equal to or lower than the height of the two stacked and mountedflash memory chips 4.

It is thus necessary that in the memory card whose thickness is limitedaccording to standards, when the chips are stacked on each other andmounted, the chips to be stacked are formed thin in advance to avoidfailures such as the exposure of bonding wires on the mold resin 55.Increasing the thickness of the controller chip 5 as compared with thatof the flash memory chip 4 in the memory card in which the flash memorychips 4 are placed in stacked form, yields the following effects.

A sufficient increase in the thickness of the controller chip 5 preventsfailures such as cracking and chipping-off of the chip and also improvesa handling characteristic at the time that each chip is placed on thesubstrate. Thus, even in the case of a memory card equipped with a largenumber of chips as in the case where the chips are placed in stackedform, a reduction in yield can be prevented from occurring andthroughput in a mounting process can be improved.

Excessively thinning the thickness of the controller chip 5 yields anincrease in the possibility that each chip will buckle due to pressureat the injection of a mold resin and an internal stress developed bycuring and shrinkage at the time that the mold resin is cured. In thecase of the flash memory chips 4 placed in stacked form as compared withit, a sufficient strength can be obtained even in the case of a thinchip because they are stacked, and buckling can be avoided. Thus, a chipplaced in a single layer needs to increase its thickness as comparedwith that of chips mounted in stacked form with a view toward obtaininga strength equivalent to such an extent as to be capable of avoiding thebuckling.

The controller chip 5 is mounted to a portion nearer the connectorterminals 2 as compared with the flash memory chips 4. In the case ofthe portion nearer each connector terminal 2, distortion is developed inthe memory card due to a stress given or suffered from the socketterminal 22 connected to the connector terminals 2 when the memory cardis in use. Such distortion is transferred to the controller chip 5nearer the connector terminals 2 as a large internal stress. As a resultof the repeated use of the memory card, there is a possibility that afailure such as the generation of chip's cracking will occur. However,if a structure or configuration is adopted wherein the chip mounted ontothe portion nearer the connector terminals 2 is set thicker than eachchip mounted to a portion far from the connector terminals 2, thenresistance to the stress suffered from the connector terminals 2 can besufficiently ensured and a failure such as breakage developed inside thememory card due to its repeated use can be avoided.

The card substrates 1, and 1A through 1E are respectively provided withthe test terminals 10 connected to the controller chip 5 and the memorychips 4 in order to efficiently test the post-mounting controller chip 5and flash memory chips 4. Since the test terminals 10 may be avoidedfrom being always exposed after they have been incorporated into acasing, the test terminals are formed on a surface on the side oppositeto a forming surface of the connector terminals 3 of the card substratefrom this point of view.

The state of connections of the test terminals of the multi mediacard-based memory card MC1 shown in FIG. 6 is illustrated in FIG. 17 byway of example. In FIG. 17, the state of connections between acontroller chip 5 and each non-volatile memory chip 4 is simplified inthe drawing to put emphasis on the state of connections of the testterminals. In FIG. 17, circuit elements each having the same function asFIG. 6 are identified by the same reference numerals and their detaileddescription will therefore be omitted.

The controller chip 5 has an input terminal (also described simply “testterminal /TEST”) for a test signal /TEST pulled up thereinside as one ofexternal terminals 5Pj although it is not shown in FIG. 6. When a lowlevel is inputted to the test terminal /TEST, the test terminal /TESTserves so as to control a terminal for interface with each non-volatilememory chip 4, particularly, an output terminal and an input/outputterminal to a high-output impedance state or an input/output inoperableor not-ready state. Further, a TEST input terminal may beinput-controlled according to a serial command (encrypted or encodedcommand) for security.

A test control terminal 10 a connected to the test terminal /TEST on thememory interface side of the controller chip 5 by a wiring 11 a isformed on the card substrate 1. Test terminals 10 b connected to all theremaining external terminals 5Pj on the memory interface side of thecontroller chip 5 by wirings 11 b in a one-to-one correspondence withone another are formed on the card substrate 1. There are also provideda testing ground terminal 10 c connected to an external terminal for aground power source Vss by a wiring 11 c, of external terminals 5Pi onthe connector interface side of the controller chip 5, and a testingpower terminal 10 d connected to an external terminal for a sourcevoltage Vdd by a wiring 11 d, of the external terminals 5Pi on theconnector interface side of the controller chip 5 in the same manner asdescribed above. Designated at numeral 33 in FIG. 17 is a guard ringadded to the card substrate 1 for the purpose of preventingelectrostatic discharge damage. The guard ring 33 orbits or goes aroundthe card substrate 1 and is connected to circuit's ground powerterminals.

Since a control terminal 10 a for supplying a control signal /TEST forcontrolling each terminal on the memory interface side of the controllerchip 5 to a high impedance state to the controller chip 5 is provided,it becomes easy to singly test the memory chips 4 through the use oftest terminals 10 b through 10 d.

Since the test terminals 10 b, 10 c and 10 d are formed on the cardsubstrate 1, the non-volatile memory chips 4 can directly be accessedand controlled from outside via the test terminals 10 b, 10 c and 10 dwhen the controller chip 5 is brought to a memory control inoperablestate due to electrostatic discharge damage. Thus, if data still remainsin each non-volatile memory chip 4 even when the controller chip 5 isbrought to destruction, then it can easily be recovered.

The memory cards such as the multi media card-based cards described inFIGS. 1 through 6 are relatively thin like 1.4 mm and relatively smalllike 24 mm×32 mm. Through holes 40, each of which extends through thefront and back of the casing 12 of each of the memory cards MC1 throughMC6 as illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19 by way of example, are defined inthe casing 12 to improve the storage of such memory cards MC1 throughMC6 and their handling performance. The periphery of the through hole 40is counter-bored and communicates with an outer edge of the casing 12. Acounter-bored portion 41 diverts or uses a step portion (cavity area)for displaying information such as the type or classification of eachmemory card in the example of FIG. 18. In FIG. 19, a counter-boreportion 41 is particularly formed. In FIG. 19, a portion designated atnumeral 42 is an area for displaying the information such as theclassification of the memory card. A so-called grommeted hollow membermay be inserted to reinforce the periphery of the through hole 40.

If an openable/closable ring 43 is drawn through a through hole 40 asshown in FIG. 20 by way of example, it then becomes easy to store orhold and carry on a memory card MC1 (corresponding to each of MC2through MC6). A state in which the ring 43 is put through the throughhole 40, may be regarded as a state of its shipment.

A strap 44 may be drawn through a through hole 40 as shown in FIG. 21 byway of example. Now consider where a memory card MC1 (corresponding toeach of MC2 through MC6) is mounted in a PC card adapter 45 while astrap 44 remains attached thereto, as shown in FIG. 22 by way ofexample. When the mounting of the memory card MC1 therein proceeds inorder of the same Figures (A), (B) and (C), the through hole 40 isinserted into the PC card adapter 45. At this time, the counter-boredportion 41, which communicates with the outer edge of the memory cardMC1 (corresponding to each of MC2 through MC6), serves as an escape orclearance for a connecting ring of the strap 44. Thus, the strap 44 nointerferes with the mounting of the memory card MC1 (corresponding toeach of MC2 through MC6) in the PC card adapter.

A hollow rivet 50 may be used in the through hole 40 to pivot aprotective cover 51 for connector terminals 2 (rotatably support it) asshown in FIG. 23 by way of example. Namely, a flat-plate protectivecover 51 substantially analogous to a terminal surface of the memorycard MC1 (corresponding to each of MC2 through MC6) is prepared. Theprotective cover 51 is superimposed on a terminal surface (correspondingto a surface on which the connector terminals 2 are formed) of thememory card MC1 (corresponding to each of MC2 through MC6). The hollowrivet 50 is inserted into the through the through hole 40 fromthereabove, and a protruding end of the hollow rivet 50 is deformedbroadly, thereby making it possible to open and close the protectivecover 51. The protective cover 51 is a thin plastic plate, for example,and covers the connector terminals 2 in a state of being superimposed onthe casing 12. Since the protective cover 51 can be restrained fromundesirably contacting the connector terminals 2, the prevention ofelectrostatic discharge damage of the controller chip 5 mounted in thememory card MC1 (corresponding to each of MC2 through MC6) can beenhanced from this point of view.

If the ring 43 is put through a hollow-shaped hole 40A of the hollowrivet 50 as shown in FIG. 24, then it provides convenience to thestorage and carrying of the memory card MC1 (corresponding to each ofMC2 through MC6).

As shown in FIG. 25 by way of example, the memory card MC1(corresponding to each of MC2 through MC6) can be loaded in itscorresponding PC card adapter 45 even if the protective cover 51 remainsattached to the memory card. If the loading of the memory card in the PCcard adapter proceeds in order of the same Figures (A), (B) and (C),then the hollow rivet 50 is also inserted into the PC card adapter 45.However, if the head of the hollow rivet 50 is relatively thin, then thehollow rivet 50 no interferes with the loading of the memory card MC1(corresponding to each of MC2 through MC6).

Incidentally, a seal is attached to the cavity portion or area of thememory card MC1 (corresponding to each of MC2 through MC6) so as toavoid the through hole 40 and hollow rivet 50 in each of FIGS. 20through 25. A memory capacity or the like is printed on the seal. Sincethe formation of the through hole 40 and the seal attachment are carriedout in other process steps, it is not necessary to perform mutualalignment of holes, etc.

States of the terminal surface of the memory card MC1 (corresponding toeach of MC2 through MC6) are respectively illustrated by a (A) planview, a (B) front view and a (C) side view in FIG. 26. A guide portion62 formed by a slant surface or circular arc extending from a leadingedge portion 60 extending at a front end in a memory card insertingdirection to a terminal surface 61 of a casing 12 is formed in thememory card MC1 (corresponding to each of MC2 through MC6). The slantsurface (so-called C processing surface) or circular arc (R processingsurface) of the guide portion 62 is set larger than a slant surface orcircular arc formed in each of other edge portions.

When the memory card MC1 (corresponding to each of MC2 through MC6) isinserted into its corresponding card socket, contacts of socketterminals 20A (corresponding to 21A and 22A) are brought into contactwith the guide portion 62 of the memory card MC1 (corresponding to eachof MC2 through MC6), which slowly guides the contacts into the terminalsurface 61 without the contacts colliding with the leading end of thecard impulsively. It is thus possible to prevent beforehand thepossibility that the leading end of the casing 12 of the memory card MC1(corresponding to each of MC2 through MC6) will deform and crack withtime. There is no possibility that bending will occur in the socketterminal.

It is difficult to form the guide portion 62 on the card substrate 1(corresponding to each of 1A through 1E) and easy to form it on thecasing 12. Thus, the wall thickness of the casing must be left on theperiphery of the card substrate 1 (corresponding to each of 1A through1E) with a certain degree of width at the terminal surface 61. When, atthis time, a diagonally-cut portion 63 used to represent thedirectionality of the card substrate as typified by FIG. 26 exists, itis considered that it is difficult to ensure the thick-walled portion.If the diagonally-cut portion 63 is formed as two-side cut portions 64as shown in FIG. 27 by way of example in such a case, then the wallthickness of that portion of the casing 12 is easy to be ensured.

In the memory card MC1 (corresponding to each of MC2 through MC6), itsattribute information like storage capacity or the like is displayed.Such display of information may be done by applying a seal 66 onto acasing 12 as shown in FIG. 28 by way of example. When a reduction in thenumber of parts and the like are taken into consideration, requiredcharacter information 67 may be printed on the surface of a casing 12 inadvance as shown in FIG. 29 by way of example. Although not shown inparticular, the character information 67 may be formed on the surface ofthe casing 12 as a concave portion in place of its printing. Theprinting or concavity-formation may be done before the assembly of thememory card. A needless stress can be avoided from being applied to eachsemiconductor chip.

An indication mark (e.g., triangular mark) 68 indicative of thedirection of insertion of the memory card MC1 (corresponding to each ofMC2 through MC6) into a card socket is concavely defined in the surfaceof the casing 12 in advance as shown in FIG. 30 by way of example.Although not shown in particular, the indication mark (e.g., triangularmark) 68 may be printed on the surface of the casing 12 in advance inplace of the concavity formation. It is thus possible to reduce partssuch as the seal having the indication mark, etc.

Since the memory card MC1 (corresponding to each of MC2 through MC6) isrelatively small and thin as described above, it is difficult to take aspace for adopting a mechanical slide function for the purpose ofperforming write protect. When the write protect is required under suchcircumstances, seal structures shown in FIGS. 31 and 32 by way ofexample, and lug structures shown in FIGS. 33 and 34 by way of examplemay be adopted.

FIG. 31 shows the state of release of write protect (rewritable state)by a seal system, and FIG. 32 illustrates the state of write protect bythe seal system. In the respective drawings, (A) is a plan view and (B)is a cross-sectional view as seen in the direction indicated by arrowsA-A of (A). In the seal system, a groove or trench 70 is defined in acasing 12, and the trench 70 is covered with a seal 71, whereby anunillustrated lever on the card socket side does not enter the trench70. As a result, the state of release of write protect is detected. Whenit is desired to perform write protect, the seal may be detached fromthe trench 70 as shown in FIG. 32 by way example. If the seal is appliedto it again, then write protect can be released.

In order to prevent an increase in step of the seal 71, only its areamay be brought into cavity form, i.e., thin concave form to control orrestrain the whole thickness of the casing although not clearly shown inthe drawing.

FIG. 33 shows the state of release of write protect (rewritable state)by a lug system, and FIG. 34 illustrates the state of write protect bythe lug system. In the respective drawings, (A) is a plan view and (B)is a cross-sectional view as seen in the direction indicated by arrowsA-A of (A). In the lug system, a pair of cloven ends 73A and 73A, whichextends through the front and back of a casing 12, is defined in oneside of the casing 12 so as to be spaced away from each other. Cloventrenches or grooves 73B are defined in the front and back of the casing12 so as to fall between the cloven ends 73A and 73A, whereby asnappable lug 73 is formed. When the lug 73 is in a non-broken state, anunillustrated lever on the card socket side is blocked by the lug 73 andthereby remains non-operated, whereby the state of release of writeprotect is detected. When it is desired to carry out write protect, thelug 73 is broken as shown in FIG. 34 by way of example to define atrench 74 in the casing 12. If the trench 74 is covered with a seal orthe like, then write protect can be released again.

The flash memory chip 4 will now be explained. FIG. 35 shows one exampleof the flash memory chip 4. In the same drawing, designated at numeral103 is a memory array, which has memory mats, data latch circuits, andsense latch circuits. Each of the memory mats 103 has a large number ofelectrically erasable and writable non-volatile memory cell transistors.The memory cell transistor comprises a source S and drain D formed on asemiconductor substrate or a memory well SUB, a floating gate FG formedin a channel region through a tunnel oxide film, and a control gate CGsuperimposed on the floating gate with an interlayer dielectricinterposed therebetween. The control gate CG is connected to itscorresponding word line 106, the drain D is connected to itscorresponding bit line 105, and the source S is connected to itscorresponding unillustrated source line, respectively.

External input/output terminals I/O0 through I/O7 are shared for anaddress input terminal, a data input terminal, a data output terminaland a command input terminal. X address signals inputted from theexternal input/output terminals I/O0 through I/O7 are supplied to an Xaddress buffer 108 through a multiplexer 107. An X address decoder 109decodes internal complementary address signals outputted from the Xaddress buffer 108 to drive their corresponding word lines.

The unillustrated sense latch circuit is provided on one end side of thebit lines 105, and similarly the unillustrated data latch circuit isprovided on the other end side thereof. The corresponding bit line 105is selected by a Y gate array circuit 113, based on a select signaloutputted from a Y address decoder 111. Y address signals inputted fromthe external input/output terminals I/O0 through I/O7 are preset to a Yaddress counter 112. The address signals successively incremented with apreset value as a starting point are supplied to the Y address decoder111.

The corresponding bit line selected by the Y gate array circuit 113 ismade conductive to an input terminal of an output buffer 115 upon a dataoutput operation. Upon a data input operation, the bit line is madeconductive to an output terminal of an input buffer 117 through a datacontrol circuit 116. Electrical connections between the output buffer115, the input buffer 117 and the input/output terminals I/O0 throughI/O7 are controlled by the multiplexer 107. Commands supplied from theinput/output terminals I/O0 through I/O7 are supplied to a mode controlcircuit 118 through the multiplexer 107 and the input buffer 117. Thedata control circuit 116 is capable of supplying data about logicalvalues placed under the control of the mode control circuit 118 to thecorresponding memory array 103 in addition to data supplied from theinput/output terminals I/O0 through I/O7.

A control signal buffer circuit 119 is supplied with the chip enablesignal /CE, output enable signal /OE, write enable signal /WE, signal/SC for providing instructions for data latch timing, reset signal /RES,and command/data enable signal /CDE as access control signals. The modecontrol circuit 118 controls a signal interface function with theoutside, etc. according to the state of these signals and controlsinternal operations according to command codes. When the commands ordata are inputted to the input/output terminals I/O0 through I/O7, thesignal /CDE is asserted. If the commands are inputted to theinput/output terminals I/O0 through I/O7, then the signal /WE is furtherasserted. If the data are inputted to the input/output terminals I/O0through I/O7, then the signal /WE is negated. If the addresses areinputted thereto, the signal /CDE is negated and the signal /WE isasserted. Thus, the mode control circuit 118 can distinguish between thecommands, data and addresses inputted from the external input/outputterminals I/O0 through I/O7 to the multiplexer. The mode control circuit118 asserts a ready/busy signal R/B during erase and write operationsand notifies its state to the outside.

An internal power supply circuit 120 generates various operating powersupplies or voltages 121 for writing, erasing, verifying, reading, etc.and supplies them to the X address decoder 109 and the correspondingmemory cell array 103.

The mode control circuit 118 controls the flash memory chip 4 over itsentirety according to commands. The operation of the flash memory chip 4is basically determined according to commands. The commands assigned tothe flash memory chip include commands for reading, erasing, writing,etc.

The flash memory chip 4 has a status register 122 for the purpose ofindicating its internal state. The contents thereof can be read from theinput/output terminals I/O0 through I/O7 by asserting the signal /OE.

The invention made by the present inventors has been describedspecifically based on the embodiments. However, the present invention isnot limited to the embodiments. It is needless to say that variouschanges can be made thereto within the scope not departing from thesubstance thereof.

The present invention can be applied to, for example, a memory cardother than outline specifications of a multi media card, e.g., a memoryhaving another standard, such as a compact flash memory or the like.Further, the present invention can be applied even to an IC cardfunctioning as an interface card as well as to the memory card. Even inthe case of the specifications of a small and thin IC card such as amulti media card or the like, the present invention can be applied to aninterface card. A memory mounted to an IC card according to the presentinvention is not limited to a non-volatile memory and may be volatilememories (SRAM, DRAM, etc.). An IC card equipped with both anon-volatile memory and a volatile memory may be used. The flash memorychip may be a non-volatile memory chip or a mask ROM based on anotherstorage format according to use applications of a memory card.

The above description has principally been made of the case in which theinvention made by the present inventors has been applied to the memorycard which falls within an application field serving as the backgroundof the invention. However, the present invention is not limited to itand can be applied even to applications of IC cards such as a passbook,a credit card, an ID card, etc.

Advantageous effects obtained by typical ones of the inventionsdisclosed in the present application will be explained in brief asfollows:

Namely, it is possible to improve serviceability and reliability of anIC card.

An IC card can be provided which is easy to implement an arrangement ofconnector terminals and compatibility related to functions.

An IC card can be implemented which is hard to cause a power-to-powershort when it is loaded in a card socket.

A high-reliability IC card can be provided which is capable of avoidingthe compacting of wiring patterns and that of bonding wires and provideshigh speed and high performance.

An IC card can be implemented which is capable of blocking the inflow ofsurges from each connector terminal by a simple configuration.

1. A memory card comprising: a substrate; a first flash memory chipmounted over the substrate; a controller chip for the first flash memorychip mounted over the substrate; a mold resin covering the first flashmemory chip and the controller chip; a plurality of connector terminalsincluding data terminals arranged over the substrate and arranged near afront end of the memory card in an inserting direction; and a pluralityof test terminals arranged over the substrate and connected to the firstflash memory chip by bonding wires or wiring patterns; wherein when thememory card is inserted in an external device, the data terminalselectrically connect to the external device and the test terminals donot electrically connect to the external device, wherein the testterminals are exposed from the mold resin, wherein the controller chiphas a first mode and a second mode, wherein a number of the dataterminals used by the second mode is larger than a number of the dataterminals used by the first mode, and wherein the front end of thememory card has a slant surface.
 2. A memory card according to claim 1,wherein the controller chip has a third mode, and wherein the number ofthe data terminals used by the third mode is larger than the numbers ofthe data terminals used by the first mode and the second mode.
 3. Amemory card according to claim 1, wherein the connector terminalsinclude a ground voltage supply terminal and a clock signal inputterminal.
 4. A memory card according to claim 1, wherein the first flashmemory chip is of larger size than the controller chip.
 5. A memory cardaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a second flash memory chip,wherein the mold resin covers the controller chip, the first flashmemory chip and the second flash memory chip, and wherein the secondflash memory chip is mounted over the first flash memory chip.
 6. Amemory card according to claim 1, wherein the connector terminals arearranged in two rows.
 7. A memory card comprising: a substrate; a firstflash memory chip mounted over the substrate; a controller chip for thefirst flash memory chip mounted over the substrate; a mold resincovering both the first flash memory chip and the controller chip; aplurality of connector terminals including data terminals arranged overthe substrate and arranged near a front end of the memory card in aninserting direction; and a plurality of data recovery terminals arrangedover the substrate and connected to the first flash memory chip bybonding wires or wiring patterns; wherein when the controller chip isbrought to destruction, the data recovery terminals provide access torecover data from the first flash memory chip, wherein the data recoveryterminals are exposed from the mold resin, wherein the controller chiphas a first mode using one of the data terminals and a second mode forusing four of the data terminals, and wherein the front end of thememory card has a slant surface.
 8. A memory card according to claim 7,wherein the controller chip has a third mode, and wherein the number ofthe data terminals used by the third mode is larger than the numbers ofthe data terminals used by the first mode and the second mode.
 9. Amemory card according to claim 7, wherein the connector terminalsinclude a ground voltage supply terminal and a clock signal inputterminal.
 10. A memory card according to claim 7, wherein the firstflash memory chip is of larger size than the controller chip.
 11. Amemory card according to claim 7, further comprising: a second flashmemory chip, wherein the mold resin covers the controller chip, thefirst flash memory chip and the second flash memory chip, and whereinthe second flash memory chip is mounted over the first flash memorychip.
 12. A memory card according to claim 7, wherein the connectorterminals are arranged in two rows.
 13. A memory card comprising: asubstrate; a first flash memory chip mounted over the substrate; acontroller chip for the first flash memory chip mounted over thesubstrate; a mold resin covering the first flash memory chip and thecontroller chip; a plurality of connector terminals including dataterminals arranged over the substrate and arranged near a front end ofthe memory card in an inserting direction; and a plurality of testterminals arranged over the substrate and connected to the first flashmemory chip by bonding wires or wiring patterns; wherein when the memorycard is inserted in an external device, the data terminals electricallyconnect to the external device and the test terminals do notelectrically connect to the external device, wherein the test terminalsare exposed from the mold resin, wherein the controller chip has a firstmode and a second mode, wherein a number of the data terminals used bythe second mode is larger than a number of the data terminals used bythe first mode, and wherein the form of the front end of the memory cardis circular arc.
 14. A memory card according to claim 13, wherein thecontroller chip has a third mode, and wherein the number of the dataterminals used by the third mode is larger than the numbers of the dataterminals used by the first mode and the second mode.
 15. A memory cardaccording to claim 13, wherein the connector terminals include a groundvoltage supply terminal and a clock signal input terminal.
 16. A memorycard according to claim 13, wherein the first flash memory chip is oflarger size than the controller chip.
 17. A memory card according toclaim 13, further comprising: a second flash memory chip, wherein themold resin covers the controller chip, the first flash memory chip andthe second flash memory chip, and wherein the second flash memory chipis mounted over the first flash memory chip.
 18. A memory card accordingto claim 13, wherein the connector terminals are arranged in two rows.19. A memory card comprising: a substrate; a first flash memory chipmounted over the substrate; a controller chip for the first flash memorychip mounted over the substrate; a mold resin covering both the firstflash memory chip and the controller chip; a plurality of connectorterminals including data terminals arranged over the substrate andarranged near a front end of the memory card in an inserting direction;and a plurality of data recovery terminals arranged over the substrateand connected to the first flash memory chip by bonding wires or wiringpatterns; wherein when the controller chip is brought to destruction,the data recovery terminals provide access to recover data from thefirst flash memory chip, wherein the data recovery terminals are exposedfrom the mold resin, wherein the controller chip has a first mode usingone of the data terminals and a second mode for using four of the dataterminals, and wherein the form of the front end of the memory card iscircular arc.
 20. A memory card according to claim 19, wherein thecontroller chip has a third mode, and wherein the number of the dataterminals used by the third mode is larger than the numbers of the dataterminals used by the first mode and the second mode.
 21. A memory cardaccording to claim 19, wherein the connector terminals include a groundvoltage supply terminal and a clock signal input terminal.
 22. A memorycard according to claim 19, wherein the first flash memory chip is oflarger size than the controller chip.
 23. A memory card according toclaim 19, further comprising: a second flash memory chip, wherein themold resin covers the controller chip, the first flash memory chip andthe second flash memory chip, and wherein the second flash memory chipis mounted over the first flash memory chip.
 24. A memory card accordingto claim 19, wherein the connector terminals are arranged in two rows.